comes up first in the spring. It makes a bay too 

 coarse and woody to be relistied by most animals, and 

 has also an odor that seems too strong for Northern 

 stock. It is a splendid bee pasture, however. 



I mention these peculiarities about sweet clover so 

 that men getting a little of it in alfalfa seed may not 

 be frightened. They should go on as though they had 

 none of it. Their alfalfa-meadows, in order to suc- 

 ceed, will need to be cut at least three times a year, 

 and that will vanquish every bit of the sweet clover. 



Chaeles B. WmQ. 



Champaign Co., O. 



SWEET CliOVBE. 



F. L., Gallia Co., O., writes: "Will the Ohio Farmer 

 give experience in growing sweet clover — best time 

 and manner of seeding, etc.? State where seed can 

 be had. I have heard that it is a good crop to pre- 

 cede alfalfa, and wish to try it with this in view; 

 also as a pasture crop for hogs." 



A subscriber from Brown Co., O., also writes: "I 

 have read quite a lot of late concerning sweet clover. 

 Please advise what you know about this legume. Is it 

 more sure to make a catch than red clover? Is it best 

 for pasture or hay? I see it growing along our road- 

 sides, apparently untouched by live stock." 



There are a great many different species of legumes 

 passing under the name of sweet clover, some of 

 which are of little or no value. The most common 

 as well as the most valuable species in the central 

 States is Melilotus alia, known variously as sweet 

 clover, bokhara, large white clover, melilot, and white 

 melilot. This is widely distributed over the United 

 States, growing quite freely along roadsides and waste 

 places. Under these conditions it is hardy and per- 

 sistent; but let it once understand that its presence 

 is desired — that is, prepare a good seed-bed for it, 

 and nurse it, and it is affrighted! ^ 



I should perhaps state that Melilotus alba is a bi- 

 ennial, resembling alfalfa not a little. Indeed, up to 

 blooming time it is not unusual to mistake one for 

 the other. It is three-leaved, erect, and somewhat 



9,^ 



